How to Substitute Stevia for Sugar in Baking

Are you looking for something sweet besides sugar? Look at the information about stevia.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stevia powder or liquid
• Recipe
• Open Mind

1. Stevia has been said to have many health benefits, such as: weight control (it controls cravings), can be used during pregnancy, it is known to be beneficial to the pancreas, does not contribute to tooth decay, can reduce high blood pressure, assists digestion, and so on.

2. Unlike most artificial sweeteners, Stevia does not break down and can withstand high temperatures while cooking and cold temperatures when frozen. It is also compatible with salt and organic acids and natural sweeteners such as barley malt, honey, fructose and sorbitol.
   
   Stevia can be used safely and effectively as a substitute for sugar in all recipes where sugar and low calorie sweeteners would be normally used.

3. Stevia can be purchased in either powder or liquid form and can be found in flavors. Liquid is easier to use for baking because it can be measured easier.

4. When baking, follow the conversion chart below along with one other adjustment. In order to make up for the volume lost through replacing a cup of sugar with only 1/4 teaspoon of Stevia Concentrated Powder, you need to add unsweetened apple fiber.

5. Here is a Stevia conversion chart:
   1 Tsp Stevia (powered)=1 Cup Sugar
   1 Tsp Stevia (liquid)=1 Cup Sugar
   1/2 Tsp Stevia=1 Tbsp Sugar
   6 Drops liquid Stevia=1 Tbsp Sugar
   A pinch of Stevia=1 Tsp sugar
   2 drops liquid stevia=1 Tsp sugar

6. The bulk or consistency that sugar normally would add can be replaced with applesauce, fruit puree, canned pumpkin, fruit juice, yogurt, or any ingredient that will taste right with your recipe and add moisture. For everyone cup of sugar that is replaced by stevia 1/4 to 1/2 a cup of the bulk should be added.

7. For some stevia baking recipes, click on this link: http://www.steviashop.com/additionaluses.php

Tips & Warnings

• Stevia can be purchased from many places on the internet, just Google "stevia" and see what you find.
• Do your research about the product before using it.
• Sweetleaf makes stevia, so check out www.sweetleaf.com
• Stevia is not an approved product. It is banned in the US by the FDA.
• Health benefits are not proven.

[mysteryriter]

on 11/7/2009 My package of Stevia Extract (Whole Foods brand) says to check with healthcare practioner if you are PREGNANT, LACTATING, DIABETIC, or have BLOOD SUGAR IRREGULARITIES.

[Buckeye207]

on 3/11/2009 Thank you! This is just what I was looking for!

[spyder150]

on 1/19/2009 I want to try a GFCF zucchini bread recipe for my grandson who has autism, but I also need to substitute the sugar with stevia. I find the stevia conversion chart above very confusing. How can only 1 tsp. of stevia = 1 cup of sugar, and 1/2 tsp. of stevia = 1 Tbsp. of sugar? Then the Stevia Extract in the Raw substitution chart says to substitute 1 cup of sugar with 24 packets of stevia packets.

[ohapr]

on 7/17/2008 Sorry, I meant Stevia is *not* banned by the FDA. It is approved as a dietary supplement only:
http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia4506.html

[ohapr]

on 7/17/2008 Stevia is banned by the FDA. It is approved as a dietary supplement only:
http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia4506.html